When you watch this mock-umentary, it's hard not to believe that the principle twosome we see on screen here is not the actual filmmakers responsible for this piece, like when we watch Rob Reiner play fictional director Marti DeBergi in his ground-breaking entry in this genre, "This is Spinal Tap." But, alas, they are not; They are actors. Michael Riley and Stephen Rappaport play director Clive Walton and producer Marvin Handleman, the dream team making a biblical epic called "And God Spoke."

The real "production team" here is Director Arthur Borman and Co-Producer Mark Borman. They are also the think tank behind the story we get here. Co-Producer Richard Raddon and scripters Gregory S. Malins and Michael Curtis help round out the behind-the-scenes team. And while "Spinal Tap" focuses on a fake rock group and the subsequent "Bob Roberts" on a fake politico, "And God Spoke (the making of...)" focuses on a fake movie production. It's a wonderful successor to the previous entries in this new genre.

By now, pop culture has introduced the behind-the-scenes activities of filmmaking to the general public. Almost any American citizen can tell you what a Producer and a Director do. Television shows like "Entertainment Tonight" have made us acutely aware of these things. "And God Spoke..." doesn't have to bother explaining the inner workings of a film production to us. It assumes we already know. Instead it lampoons B-movies better than any other film ever has and makes us laugh at not only inner-circle gags but the characters antics too. For example, it's just as funny when the union grips on the crew belittle the producer to his face as it is when the editor tells us of how he likes to relax by bow hunting. Watching the fake footage of the supposed film here, it's easy to think that just making the film "And God Spoke" might be more funny. But when one remembers that films which try to lampoon bad movies by simply being a bad movie ("Attack of the Killer Tomatoes" comes to mind), are usually quite dull, one appreciates the contrivances here.

On screen, a lot of famous faces pop up throughout the film to add to the fun. Lou Ferrigno ("The Incredible Hulk") and Andy Dick (TV sit-com stock player) have a marvelous sequence as Cain and Abel. Eve Plumb (TV's Jan Brady) stops by to play Noah's wife but we never really see her in costume. Shes happier discussing what it's like to be "Jan." But the true star cameo is Soupy Sales as Moses. Allowed to mug and ad-lib, Sales has his finest role in years by simply playing himself. It's quite humorous.

Also funny are the seeming hundreds of unknowns who make us laugh as crew members, cast members and wanna-bees. R.C. Bates comes across as Jerry Garcia and Ken Kesey's bastard son. His brain cells apparently annihilated by years of drug use, Bates can't even remember the name of Zeppelin's best- known song as he relates an anecdote about attending one of their concerts. Andrew Simmons is also funny as the ever- naked Adam. The cast adds humor to his role by always looking down at his off-screen genitalia when in frame with him. It should also be noted that many of these folks, like Simmons and Bates, use their real names in the film blurring the line between fact and fiction.

But the true stars of the show are Rappaport and Riley. The two play off of each other as if they really have been working together for years. Rappaport is wonderful as the producer, the money-man. He talks and acts like a producer. He generates his words like Peter McNichol's less-known brother. Frenetic, frantic, worrisome and verbal, he is the perfect compliment to Riley's introspective and naive Director Walton. When one of Walton's relatives calls him Sidney on screen and he immediately reminds them that his name is Clive, it tells us all we need to know about the character. The chemistry these two share make all of what happens in the film seem real and believable. Even though we know it's a lampoon from frame one, we assume that these two are the actual creative forces behind the mock-umentary. The two even perform a song together at the film's ending that was actually written by Rappaport to show us exactly how "in tune" they are.

"And God Spoke (the making of...)" was obviously create by people who love really bad low-budget films. "Golden Turkey" auteur and critic Michael Medved is even tapped to do a cameo as himself. For those interested in bad movies and interested in the behind-the-scenes aspect of filmmaking, this film is a godsend (pun intended). Taking over where "The Player" left off, the film is funny and bizarre. It's easy to believe much of what we see here is simply a reflection of the reality of low-budget filmmaking.

Notes: Cinematographer is Lee Daniels.

The filmmakers pay homage to the creator of the mock- umentary genre, director Rob Reiner, by showing him in a film clip from the Oscars.

Note how the film has no music except over the closing credits. This is when Rappaport and Riley sing Rappaport's "Just My Size" while the composer/actor plays accordion.

Other films by the fictional Walton/Handleman production team mentioned in the film: The Airport (Note: not "Airport," but the film where the team met and joined forces. We are informed that the film was never released due to "legal difficulties") She-Beast Dial "S" for Sex Nude Ninjas Friday Nite Boogie Alpha Deatha De-Kappa The Iliad (in production after "And God Spoke" was released)

Fake bands mentioned in the film: Rectal Itch Severe Tire Damage Bjorn Again (Abba cover band)

Review written in 1995

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